Ultrasonic cleaner recommendations

[grf88]

If you are unsure just how well your ultrasonic cleaner is working you can do a simple test with aluminum foil.

 

[grf88]

Looks like we both posted at exactly the same time.

 

[grf88]

One thing to be aware of is that you should always use the basket to suspend items especially if you are using other containers within the cleaner as they are designed to vibrate liquids and not solids. This is especially true with cheaper units as items resting directly on the bottom can overload the transducers. My cheap import has been working for 7 years with no problems but if you are using one daily then you probably should pay for a good one. .

 

[sh1513]

I'm not at all an expert, but muriatic acid can etch concrete and is overall pretty harsh. Can't breath it, don't want it on your skin, much lower pH than vinegar. I would think vinegar would be a lot safer and readily available.

I use 50/50 vinegar/water on my rebuilds in a cheap U/S cleaner, so far so good.

Just my personal opinion, but no acid of whatever type belongs anywhere near scuba equipment.

The only liquid I use that contains anything that could be called acidic, is a weak citrus based degreaser.

 

[lowwall]

Just my personal opinion, but no acid of whatever type belongs anywhere near scuba equipment.

The only liquid I use that contains anything that could be called acidic, is a weak citrus based degreaser.

The acid is used in regulator servicing, not regular cleaning. A normal part of the service is, after disassembly, to soak only the metal parts in a mildly acidic solution. This is necessary to remove salts, scale and surface corrosion.

 

[sh1513]

The acid is used in regulator servicing, not regular cleaning. A normal part of the service is, after disassembly, to soak only the metal parts in a mildly acidic solution. This is necessary to remove salts, scale and surface corrosion.

I am fully aware of what and how it is used, I am a service tech, I said it was my opinion that acid should not be used.

There's other non-acidic solutions that will do the job.

 

[happy-diver]

Yes chemical free chemicals, that don't chemical, paint that falls off in the wind
markers that become invisible, water soluable Gilligan glue for boats and diving

If you can stay in the same room when it is open do not use it it is just no good!

Bring back lead, babies eating it made them strong and it made divers stronger

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Just my personal opinion, but no acid of whatever type belongs anywhere near scuba equipment.

The only liquid I use that contains anything that could be called acidic, is a weak citrus based degreaser.

5 min in a U/S cleaner with 50/50 is (as far as I know) the staple. I believe you can even take it down a notch and do 75/25.

You are talking about vinegar....right? The same stuff we let kids dye Easter eggs with? It's about as mild an acid you can get.

 

[sh1513]

5 min in a U/S cleaner with 50/50 is (as far as I know) the staple. I believe you can even take it down a notch and do 75/25.

You are talking about vinegar....right? The same stuff we let kids dye Easter eggs with? It's about as mild an acid you can get.

Look! Did I say anywhere that it was wrong???

No I didn't, I said it was my opinion, I don't use acid based products, I use Biox, it ain't cheap but it does a very very good job.
Welcome to Biox Ltd Website - The future of Environmental Cleaning

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Look! Did I say anywhere that it was wrong???

You implied it;

Just my personal opinion, but no acid of whatever type belongs anywhere near scuba equipment.

I just don't get it.... I can "borrow" enough vinegar from my wife and don't have to order anything or even leave my house, it's ~ $1 for a whole gallon and a mild mix cleans everything up. I get that prolonged exposure could do some cosmetic harm, but I believe the worst that could happen is you take the finish off the brass....which isn't the end of the world?

Why spend more $ on something and go through all the trouble for the same outcome? Set a kitchen timer for 5 min, if not 100% satisfied, give it another 5 min and be done.

I'm fine with the way you do things, I don't care. Plenty of ways to skin a cat.